Report: Pepe Reina in line for return to Premier League with Aston Villa

Before the arrival of Alisson Becker, Liverpool had gone through a series of goalkeepers in the hope of filling the enormous void left by the decline and departure of Pepe Reina. The Spaniard for a time was one of the best goalkeepers in the division, if not the world. Pepe Reina could be in line for a return to the Premier League with Aston Villa.

Pepe Reina could be in line for a move to Aston Villa. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Reina is an icon at Anfield. The Spanish keeper arrived on Merseyside from Villareal in 2005, relegating Jerzy Dudek to the number two spot. In February 2008 he became the quickest goalkeeper to reach 50 clean sheets for Liverpool.

Pepe won the Premier League Golden Glove three years on the bounce when at Liverpool, he was also named the club’s player of the year for the 2009/10 season.

In July 2013, Reina was loaned to Napoli before completing a permanent move to Bayern Munich a season later. The Spaniard is now backup at AC Milan.

According to the Daily Mail, Pepe Reina could be on his way to Aston Villa for the rest of the season. The Villains are desperate for a keeper after Tom Heaton was ruled out until the next campaign with injury.

What RTK has to say

If Pepe Reina does move to Aston Villa he would get a very warm welcome when the two sides play at Anfield on the 11th of April.

Kopites still remember Reina fondly for his time at the club – he is one of the greatest keepers we’ve had, he smashed Ray Clemence and Bruce Grobbelaar’s records whilst at the club. It would a heartwarming moment to see him back at Anfield and it would be a treat to see him back in the division. Fingers crossed this one goes through.

Brendan Hodrien is a woolyback writer, born in Birkenhead and raised by his Dad's stories of Paris, Wembley and Rome. He has appeared on 90Min's YouTube as well as Channel 4's Ultimate Football Fan Show, he is still coming to terms with Liverpool selling Xabi Alonso.